Big Boys Off-Shore Rules

 

1.       The Big Boys Off-Shore is a two day off-shore fishing tournament for the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean (no boundaries).  All boats entered in the tournament must be docked between Ocean Reef Club and the East end of the Seven Mile Bridge. All boats must depart and return to the same dock daily. The tournament headquarters will be the Sundowners Restaurant (MM 103.9 Bayside in Key Largo).  Boats may not leave the dock before 6 AM.

2.       There will be separate competition categories for “Largest Tuna, Largest Dolphin (10 pound minimum on each species), and an Aggregate Weight Dolphin Division.” In the event that no largest fish species is caught, that prize money will be donated to the tournament charities. Awards will be distributed from 8-9 pm on Sunday, April, 27.  

3.       All IGFA rules apply. One angler must set the hook and fight the fish to the boat. The tournament committee must approve of any angler substitutions. There are no line or line test requirements other than IGFA rules. A maximum of six (6) lines may be in the water at any one time. Fish may be taken only by hook and line as prescribed by State of Florida fishing regulations. Mutilated or foul hooked fish will be disqualified at the discretion of the Tournament Officials.

4.       The Captain’s meeting will be held from 7:00 - 7:30 pm on Friday, April 25th, 2008. One crew member from each boat must attend the Registration and Captain’s meeting to receive the boat registration number, final rules, regulations, and updated information concerning the tournament.

5.       All participants must fish from a minimum of a 24 foot boat with a maximum of 4 anglers in a boat (Captains and Mates may participate as Anglers). All boats must depart and return to the same dock. No boat may come in direct physical contact with the shore or another boat (i.e. to exchange fish and/or equipment, or lend assistance) unless authorized by Tournament Officials. Contact with the shore or another boat will result in disqualification.

6.       During the tournament, the largest dolphin over 80% of the current Florida State record (must exceed 62 lbs) will be worth $ 20,000. All participants who are eligible for prize money may be requested to submit to a LIE DETECTOR TEST. Failure to comply will result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes. All fish subject to inspection with a Torrey meter. Any fish determined to be unacceptable will eliminate the team from the tournament.

7.       A maximum of 3 fish per boat per day will be weighed-in for the aggregate dolphin weight competition. The combined aggregate weight of a maximum of six dolphin over the two days of fishing will determine the overall winners. All legal limits will be enforced according to the State of Florida fishing regulations. You are encouraged to release all fish that you do not intend to weigh-in.

8.       Fish must be brought in cold, fresh, and 'on ice,' and may be weighed-in at either Sundowners or the Holiday Isle charter docks.  Once fish have been unloaded, one representative from the boat must accompany the fish to the weigh-in scale to initial the weigh-in sheet specifying the total fish weights - and one specific fish for each of the largest fish competitions. Weighed fish will have the dorsal fin cut-off/mutilated and the anglers must take and clean their own fish (although we will take donations of some fish for the dinner banquet).

9.   All entries must be in line for weigh-in within ten (10) minutes of the ending time of weigh-in to be eligible to weigh-in fish. A Tournament Official will mark the last cooler allowed to weigh-in fish. Anglers must proceed in single file, in order, and any unsportsmanlike conduct may be reason for disqualification.

10.   Channel 68 is the official tournament channel. All pertinent information will be broadcast on channel 68. If you want to talk to tournament officials hail them on channel 68 (you may be directed to another channel). All boats must have an operating VHF marine radio. No boats may begin fishing before the announcement to begin fishing or “lines in” call on VHF marine channel 68. Upon conclusion of the tournament fishing hours all lines must be immediately removed from the water and fishing must cease. If you have a fish on the line at lines-out time you may continue to fight the fish to the boat, but you must be at the weigh-in by the deadline. Anyone who fishes before or after hours will be disqualified.

11.   In the event of a tie for any category (largest fish, aggregate weight) the earliest time of weigh-in will determine the winner. All protests must be accompanied by a $200 cash deposit and must be registered in writing to tournament officials no later than 5 minutes after the last fish has been weighed-in. If the protest is upheld the deposit is refunded - if the protest is not upheld the deposit is forfeited. All photographs/records are property of the tournament and contestants hereby consent to their usage. All decisions by the tournament officials are final!

12.    Participants in this tournament enter at their own risk and agree that officials, committee members, sponsors and all persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the Big Boys Offshore Fishing Tournament shall be exempt from any liability for loss, damage, negligence, harm or injury suffered to any participant, entrant, sportfishing vessel, their companions, boat captains, crew members, vessels and equipment, which may occur during this tournament.